Timer



A. J. DANEK Aug. 9, 1966 TIMER Filed NOV. 9, 1962 INVENTOR. August J. Dunek United States Patent ce 3,264,879 TIMER August .1. Danek, (Zrystal Lake, 111., assignor to Controls Company of America, Melrose Park, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 236,658 16 Claims. (Cl. 74-3.5)

This invention relates to variable interval timers.

An object of this invention is to provide a timer for programmin g a plurality of switches with the cycle or sequence of one switch adjustable within the program.

For the achievement of this and other objects, this invention contemplates the provision of a timer having a timer motor and a plurality of switches, or other suitable control devices. One of the switches is effective to control energization of the timer motor and is controlled by a cam rotated by the motor but movable independently of the motor to actuate the switch and initiate operation of the motor. The timer also includes variable cam means associated with another switch for establishing a second timing cycle. The variable cam means comprises two cams, one driven by the timer motor and the other normally stationary. These cams are biased to a normal position wherein the normally stationary cam renders the driven cam incapable of actuating the switch. The normally stationary cam is supported for movement relative to the driven cam to free the driven cam for controlling actuation of the switch. Face cam means acting between these two cams provides the relative movement between the two cams to free the driven cam for control of actuation of the switch. The face cam means is adjustable to vary the point at which movement to free the driven cam occurs so that the timing cycle provided by the variable cam means can be adjusted to fall within any desired portion of the first timing cycle.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from, the specification and claims, as will obvious modifications of the single embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the timer;

FIG. 2 is a section view along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view along lines 55 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a view along lines 66 of FIG. 1.

With particular reference to the drawings, the timer includes a motor 10 and snap action switches 1, 2 and 3 supported between mounting brackets 12 and 14 and actuated through leaf spring actuators 4, 5 and 6. The timer also includes a drive shaft 13 connected directly to timer motor 10 through coupling 20 and a control shaft 16 supported from mounting brackets 12 and 14 and for axial and rotational movement independent of drive shaft 18.

A cam assembly 22, including profile cam '24 mounted on sleeve 26, is carried by control shaft 16 for rotation relative to the control shaft and, as will appear more clearly hereinafter, for axial movement with the control shaft. A spring 28 is seated between mounting bracket 12 and cam 24 and biases the cam assembly 22 to a normal position wherein cam 24- is disposed over leaf actuator 4 for engagement of cam rise 27 with the leaf actuator. As can be seen in FIG. 2, when cam 24 is in its normal position, cam rise 27 holds leaf actuator 4- in a down position so that switch 1 is held open (switch 1 being a normally closed switch). Switch 1 controls energization of timer motor 10 and when control shaft 16 is moved to the left in FIG. 1 cam rise 27 is moved from leaf actuator 4 releasing the act-uator and allowing switch 1 to close thereby energizing motor 10.

Motor 10, when energized, rotates drive shaft 18 and cam '24 is connected to the drive shaft through gear 30,

3,264,879 Patented August 9, 1966 mounted on sleeve 26, and a gear 32 mounted on a sleeve 34 which sleeve is rotatable with shaft 18. Accordingly, when motor 10 has been energized cam 24- rotates relative to the control shaft. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be noted that after cam 24 has been moved to the left and leaf actuator 4 has been released, cam rise 27 will engage the edge of the leaf actuator to prevent cam 24 from assuming its normal position until it has rotated a sufiicient amount to clear the cam rise from the leaf actuator whereupon spring 23 moves the entire cam assembly 22 to the right, positioning cam 24 above actuator 4. The dwell portion 29 of cam 24 is such that the cam can rotate relative to the leaf actuator without displacing it. Cam 24 will reopen switch 1 after it has completed a full revolution and cam rise 27 reengages actuator 4 to deenergize timer motor 10 thereby providing a timer cycle of fixed duration.

Composite cam means 36 is associated with switch 2 and is operative to provide a timer cycle of variable period or duration. More particularly, the composite cam means includes a profile cam 38, carried on a sleeve 34 which is rotatable with the drive shaft, and a holding cam 40 carried on sleeve 42 which is rotatable relative to and independently of the drive shaft. Profile cam 38 is positioned to engage leaf actuator 5 of switch2 and holding cam 40 is biased by spring 44 to a normal position in abutting relation with profile cam 38 so that it too is positioned for engagement with leaf spring 5. Profile cam 38 includes a cam rise 46 (see FIG. 5) and holding cam 40 is generally circular (see FIG. 6). The radius of holding cam 41) is substantially equal to the maximum radius of rise portion 46 of the profile cam and, when the holding cam is positioned adjacent profile cam 38, it is operative to hold leaf spring 5 in a down position holding switch 2 open (switch 2 also being a normally closed switch) and preventing profile cam 38 from assuming control over switch 2. For a purpose which will be apparent from the following discussion, the radius of holding cam 40 is preferably slightly less than the radius of cam rise 46 but is greater than that of the dwell portion 58 of cam 38 so that the holding cam is effective in preventing cam 38 from controlling switch 2.

Cam 38 rotates with control shaft 18 and relative to holding cam 40 and face cam means is provided for producing relative axial movement between the profile and holding cams to release the profile cam 38 for control of switch 2. The face cam means preferably takes the form of a projection 56 on cam 40 and a groove 48 having ends 50 and 52. terminating in spaced relation to provide a rise portion 54. Projection 56 conforms to groove 48 and, when the profile and holding cams are in abutting relation, can be received in that groove. During relative rotational movement of the profile cam and the holding cam, projection 56 rides in groove 48 until it is engaged by end 52 (assuming clockwise rotation as viewed in FIG. 5) whereupon projection 56 is displaced to rise portion 54 moving holding cam 46 axially on drive shaft 18 against the bias of spring 44. This moves holding cam 40 out of engagement with leaf actuator 5 and, assuming that the profile and holding cams are so arranged that when the holding cam is moved out of engagement with the leaf actuator cam rise 46 is spaced from the leaf actuator, the leaf actuator rises, actuating switch 2 and initiating the particular function controlled by that switch. Again, the dwell portion 58 of cam 38 is such as to allow the cam to rotate relative to the actuator without disturbing the leaf actuator. With reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that after the holding cam 41) has been moved to actuate switch 2, it will engage the edge of leaf spring 5 to prevent it from returning to its position over the leaf actuator until the particular function controlled by switch 2 has been completed, i.e., switch 2 will remain in an on position until cam rise 46 engages and depresses the leaf actuator to open switch 2. When leaf actuator is depressed by cam rise 46, spring 44 returns holding cam 40 to its normal position. Return of the holding cam to its normal position is insured by providing the holding cam with a radius slightly less than that of the cam rise.

Holding cam 40 is connected to control shaft 16 through gear 60, carried on sleeve 42 which is rotatable relative to the drive shaft, and gear 62 carried by a sleeve 64 which is rotatable with control shaft 16. Gears 62 and 60 transmit rotation of control shaft 16 to holding cam 40 so that the holding cam can be rotated relative to profile cam 38 to vary the position of projection 56 in groove 48 and relative to the angular face 47 of cam rise 46, angular face 47 being the portion of cam 48 which initially engages and actuates switch 2. More particularly and assuming clockwise rotation of cam 38 in FIG. 5, switch 2 is held closed by holding cam 40 and remains closed until end 52 of groove 48 engages projection 56 to move the holding cam to the right (in FIG. 1) and release leaf actuator 5. By rotating cam 40 relative to cam 38 the position of projection 56 relative to end 52 of groove 48 can be varied to adjust the point at which the holding cam is moved to release the leaf actuator. This adjustment determines the position of cam rise 46 relative to the leaf actuator when the leaf actuator is released to correspondingly determine the duration of activation of switch 2 until the leaf actuator is engaged by cam rise 46 and operated to de-energize switch 2. Thus the period or duration of the function controlled by switch 2 can be varied to fall within any desired portion of the fixed cycle of switch 1.

In operation, the desired duration of the timing cycle of switch 2 is selected by rotating control shift 16 to adjust the relative position of profile cam 38 and holding cam 40. Control shaft 16 is then pushed inwardly against spring 28 to move cam 24 and release leaf actuator 4, it will be noted that a sleeve 66 is positioned on the control shaft between both sleeve 64 and gear 30 so that the gear and cam assembly are connected for joint axial movement with the control shaft. Release of leaf actuator 4 energizes timer motor and drive shaft 18 rotates cam 24 and cam 38. The timing cycle of cam 24 is fixed and will be terminated when cam rise 27 re-engages and depresses leaf spring 4 to open switch 1. Spring 28 will move cam assembly 22 and the control shaft to the right after cam rise 27 has cleared the leaf actuator 4, a shoul der 63 is provided on the control shaft and engages a detent 69 to limit the travel of the control shaft to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. With the timer motor energized profile cam 38 is rotated, however, holding cam 40 prevents the profile cam from assuming control over switch 2 until the profile cam has rotated a sufiicient dis tance to actuate the face cam means between the profile and holding cam. When the holding cam is moved to the right by the face cam means, cam rise 46 is spaced from leaf actuator 5 and the leaf actuator rises actuating switch 2 initiating the particular timed function controlled by switch 2. The holding cam cannot return to its normal or holding position as it is engaged by the edge of the leaf actuator and switch 2 remains actuated until cam rise 46 engages and depresses the leaf actuator to open the swtich and terminate the timed function provided by the switch. With the actuator depressed, the holding cam is returned to its normal position. Accordingly, cam means 36 can be adjusted to provide a timing cycle falling within any desired portion of the timing cycle provided by cam 24 and switch 1.

If desired, a third switch 3 can be included to control still a third function and its leaf actuator 6 can be controlled by a profile cam 68 carried by a sleeve 70 which is connected to and rotatable with drive shaft 18. In this instance cam 68 also provides a seat for spring 44. Cam 68 and switch 3 provide a timing cycle having a fixed duration and occurring within the fixed duration cycle A of switch 1 but it will be appreciated that composite cam means similar to cam means 36 could also be provided to control switch 3.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A timer comprising, in combination, first and second control devices, drive means controlled by said first control devices, a drive shaft connected to and driven by said drive means, a control shaft mounted for axial and rotational movement independent of said drive shaft, first and second cam means connected to and driven by said drive shaft, said first cam means operative to control the actuation of said first control device and said second cam means operative to control said second control device, holding means adjacent said second control device and so configured as to engage said second control device and render said second cam means inoperative to control said second control device, means connected with said drive means and between said second cam means and said holding means and operative to produce relative movement between said second cam means and said holding means after a predetermined amount of relative rotational movement therebetween to free said second cam means to assume control over said second device, and means for adjusting the relative position between said holding means and said second cam means to adjust the point at which said second cam means is rendered operative.

2. A timer comprising, in combination, a drive shaft, first cam means mounted on and rotatable with said drive shaft, a control shaft mounted for axial and rotational movement independent of said drive shaft, second cam means mounted on said control shaft for axial movement with said control shaft and connected for rotation by said drive shaft relative to said control shaft, a holding cam biased to a normal position adjacent said first cam means and configured so that said holding cam renders said first cam means inoperative when said holding cam is in said normal position, said holding cam mounted for rotational movement relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to movement of said drive shaft and connected between said first cam means and said holding cam and arranged to displace said holding cam, after a predetermined amount of relative rotational movement between said first cam means and said holding cam, from said normal position to render said first cam means operative, and means connecting said means for displacing said holding cam to said control shaft for adjusting the relative position of said holding cam and said first cam means to adjust the point at which displacement of said holding cam occurs.

3. A timer comprising, in combination, a motor, a drive shaft connected to and driven by said motor, a control shaft mounted for axial and rotational movement independent of said drive shaft, first control means connected to and controlling said motor, a first cam mounted on said control shaft for axial movement therewith and connected for rotation by said drive shaft relative to said control shaft, means biasing said first cam to a first position wherein said first cam is disposed to engage and control actuation of said first control means, axial movement of said control shaft against said bias displacing said first cam from said first position to actuate said first control means and said motor so that said first cam is rotated by said motor and after a predetermined amount of rotation returns to said first position to establish a first timing cycle of predetermined duration, second control means, a second cam mounted on and rotatable with said drive shaft and arranged to engage and actuate said second control means, a holding cam connected to said control shaft and mounted on said drive shaft for axial and rotational movement relative thereto, means biasing said holding to a first position wherein said holding cam is arranged to engage said second control means and render said second cam inoperative to control said second control means, means responsive to movement of said drive shaft and operative to move said holding cam from said first position, after a predetermined amount of rotation between said holding cam and said second cam, to a second position wherein said second cam is rendered operative, and means connected with said means for moving said holding cam and including said control shaft for adjusting the point at which movement of said holding cam to said second position occurs so that said second cam and said holding cam are operative to establish an adjustable timing cycle within said first timing cycle.

4. A timer comprising, in combination, a motor, a drive shaft connected to and driven by said motor, a control shaft mounted for axial and rotational movement independent of said drive shaft, first control means connected to and controlling said motor, a first cam mounted on said control shaft for axial movement therewith and connected for rotation by said drive shaft relative to said control shaft, means biasing said first cam to a first position wherein said first cam is disposed to engage and control actuation of said first control means, axial movement of said control shaft against said bias displacing said first cam from said first position to actuate said first control means and said motor so that said first cam is rotated by said motor and after a predetermined amount of rotation returns to said first position thereby establishing a first timing cycle of predetermined duration, second control means, a second cam mounted on and rotatable with said drive shaft and arranged to engage and actuate said second control means, a holding cam connected to said control shaft and mounted on said drive shaft for axial and rotational movement relative thereto, means biasing said holding cam to a first position wherein said holding cam is arranged to engage said second control means and render said second cam inoperative, means on said holding cam and extending axially with respect thereto, and means on said second cam extending axially with respect thereto and arranged to engage said means on said holding cam to displace said holding cam axially from said first position to a second position wherein said second cam is rendered operative, said holding cam connected to said control shaft for rotation thereby relative to said drive shaft and said second cam to vary the relative position of said means on said holding cam and said second cam so that the amount of relative rotation between said holding cam and said second cam occurring before said holding cam is moved to said second position is adjustable.

5. The timer of claim 4 wherein said second cam includes a rise portion for acutating said second control means and said holding cam includes an arcuate portion having a radius substantially equal to the radius of said rise portion and positioned to engage said second control device when said holding cam is in said first position.

6. The timer of claim 4 wherein one of said means on said second cam and said control cam comprises an arcuate groove having ends terminating in relative spaced relation and the other comprises an axial projection movable within said groove.

7. In a timer having a timer motor, the combination with said timer motor of control means for activating said timer motor, cam means supported for axial and rotational movement relative to said control means, means connecting said cam means to and for driven movement by said time-r motor when said timer motor is energized, and means movable independently of said timer motor for moving said cam means axially to actuate said control means and initiate energization of said timer motor, the driven movement of said cam means by said timer motor returning said cam means to a position wherein said control means and said drive means are de-energized thereby establishing a timing cycle of predetermined duration.

8. In a timer having a timer motor, the combination with said timer motor of control means for activating said timer motor, a control shaft mounted for axial movement relative to said control means, cam means mounted on said control shaft for axial movement therewith and connected to said timer motor to be rotatably driven thereby relative to said control means, and means biasing said cam means to a first position wherein said cam means is positioned to engage and control actuation of said control means, axial movement of said control shaft against said bias displacing said cam means from said first position to actuate said control means and said motor so that said cam means is rotated by said timer motor and after a predetermined amount of rotation returns to said first position to establish a timing cycle of predetermined duration.

9. In a timer having a timer motor and at least one control device, the combination with said control device of first and second cam means having a first position relative to said control device wherein said second cam means is operatively connected with said control device and renders said first cam means inoperative to control said control device, one of said cam means driven by said timer motor and the other being normally stationary during this driven movement, and means driven by said timer motor and connected with said first and second cam means for moving said first and second cam means from said first position to render said second cam means operative to control said control drive, and means connected with and operative to adjust said means for moving said first and second cam means to vary the point at which movement of said first and second cam means from said first position occurs so that the timing cycle provided by said first and second cam means is variable.

10. In a timer having a timer motor and at least one control device, the combination with said control device, of a first cam arranged for engagement with said control device and connected to and rotatable by said timer motor, a holding cam supported for-axial and rotational movement relative to said first cam and biased to a first position in engagement with said control device and arranged relative to said first cam so that said first cam is rendered inoperative to control said control device, and means connected between said first cam and said holding cam for displacing said holding cam from said first position after a predetermined amount of relative rotational movement between said first cam and said holding cam so that said first cam is rendered operative.

11. In a timer having at least one control device, the combination with said control device of, a drive shaft, a profile cam connected to and rotatable with said drive shaft, a holding cam supported for axial and rotational movement relative to said drive shaft, said profile and holding cams arranged to control actuation of said control device and normally assuming a position relative to each other wherein said holding cam engages said control device and prevents actuation thereof by said profile cam, and face cam means connected between said profile and holding cams and operative to impart axial movement to said holding cam to free said profile cam for control of actuation of said control device.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said holding cam is norm-ally stationary relative to said profile cam and said face cam means comprises a projection on one of said profile and holding cams and an arcuate groove having ends terminating in relative spaced relation on the other of said cams mating with said projection.

13. The combination of claim 12 including means for adjusting the relative position of said profile and holding cam to vary the point at which said face cam means affects axial movement of said holding cam to face said profile cam.

14. A timer comprising, in combination, first and second independently operable members, means for driving said first independently operable member, first cam means connected to and driven with said first member, means fior moving said first cam means independently of said first member to control actuation of said drive means, second cam means including first and second relatively movable cam members having a first position wherein said second cam member is arranged relative to said first cam member to render said first cam member inoperative, and means connected with said first independently operable member and said first and second relatively movable cam members and controlled by movement of said first independently operable member for displacing said first and second cam members from said first position to a second position wherein said first cam member is rendered operative, and means connected with said first and second cam members and including said second independently operable member for adjusting the point at which said first cam member is rendered active.

15. A timer comprising, in combination, a plurality of control means, drive means controlled by a first one of said control means, first cam means connected to and driven by said drive means, means for moving said first cam means independently t said drive means and relative to said first control means for controlling actuation of said first control means to in turn control actuation of said drive means, the driven movement of said first cam means when said drive means is actuated establishing a predetermined duration of activation of said drive means, second cam means associated with a second one of said control means and including first and second cam members having a first position wherein said second cam member is operatively connected with said second control means and renders said first cam member inoperative to control said second control means, and means connected with said drive means and said first and second cam members and, in response to said drive means, operative to move said first and second cam members from said first position to a second position wherein said second cam member is operatively disconnected from said second control means and first cam member is rendered operative to control actuation of said second control means, said last-mentioned means being adjustable to vary the point at which said first cam member is rendered operative so that the period of actuation of said second control means is adjustable within said predetermined duration of activation of said drive means.

16. A timer comprising, in combination, a plurality of. control devices, first and second independently operable members, means controlled by a first one of said control devices for driving said first independently operable member, first cam means for controlling actuation of said first control device, said first cam means connected to said first independently operable member for selective movement jointly with and relative to said first independently operable member so that said first scam means is movable relative to said first independently operable member to actuate said first control device and is movable with said first independent-1y operable member to return said first control device to an unactuated state and establish a first timing cycle of predetermined duration, second cam means for controlling actuation of a second one of said control devices including a first cam member connected to and movable with said first independently operable member and a second cam member connected to and movable with said second independently operable member, said first and second cam members having a first position relative to said second control evice wherein said second cam member is operatively connected with said second control device to render said first cam member inoperative to control said second control device, and means connected with said first independently operable member and said first and second cam members and operative to displace said first and second cam members, in accordance with driven movement of said first independently operable member, from said first position to a second position wherein said second cam member is operatively disconnected from said second control device and said first cam member is rendered operative to control said second control device, said last-mentioned means connected with and adjustable by movement of said second independently operable member to adjust the point at which said displacement of said first and second cam members occurs to render said first cam member operative.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,668,589 2/1954 Illian 200-38 2,714,421 8/1955 Frantcllizi 200-38 2,870,834 1/1959 Sisson 68-12 3,083,272 3/1963 Stolle 20038 MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner. BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Examiner. W. S. RATLIFF, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TIMER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, FIRST AND SECOND CONTROL DEVICES, DRIVE MEANS CONTROLLED BY SAID FIRST CONTROL DEVICES, A DRIVE SHAFT CONNECTED TO AND DRIVEN BY SAID DRIVE MEANS, A CONTROL SHAFT MOUNTED FOR AXIAL AND ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT INDEPENDENT OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT, FIRST AND SECOND CAM MEANS CONNECTED TO AND DRIVEN BY SAID DRIVE SHAFT, SAID FIRST CAM MEANS OPERATIVE TO CONTROL THE ACTUATION OF SAID FIRST CONTROL DEVICE AND SAID SECOND CAM MEANS OPERATIVE TO CONTROL SAID SECOND CONTROL DEVICE, HOLDING MEANS ADJACENT SAID SECOND CONTROL DEVICE AND SO CONFIGURED AS TO ENGAGE SAID SECOND CONTROL DEVICE AND RENDER SAID SECOND CAM MEANS INOPERATIVE TO CONTROL SAID SECOND CONTROL DEVICE, MEANS CONNECTED WITH 